Kymberly Lacrosse, President of CBC and homegrown in Watsonville, has been an active youth leader since the age of 15 and has been a part of the biking community for over 15 years. She sources her passion for community and youth development through biking, health and leadership. Her passion for equity and justice inform and drive her role with Community Bike Collective. Her formal education includes a BA from UCSC and MA from SJSU, both in Sociology. She has worked as a Project Director and Community Organizer in Santa Cruz County for nearly twenty years. Her projects have earned both local and national recognition. Kymberly helped to establish Leadership for Community Transformation which strives to design community change that makes a real, lasting and sustainable difference. Her curriculum, Growing Greatness stands for equity and justice; its purpose is to manifest the GREATNESS that exists within each of us and our communities. Kymberly is committed to sustainable change and believes we all have a voice that matters! Kymberly believes biking can be a life-changing experience for individuals and is an important part of community. Rides with Kym are infused with her love of nature, adventure and fun memory making experiences!
Melissa Cline, Treasurer, is a genomics scientist at U.C. Santa Cruz, and has been an avid cyclist since she was a child. As a young woman, she valued cycling as an independent mode of transportation, and as a way to get out of the house and explore her world a little bit more. Now as an adult, she values mountain biking as something that gets her away from the computer. The Community Bike Collective combines her love of cycling with her motivation to make a difference in the lives of young people. “Mountain biking offers kids tangible experience at learning to overcome challenges, while having fun outside in a beautiful setting. Overcoming an obstacle on a trail is more than a thrill, it’s empowering. It changes you to realize that you’ve done something that wasn’t easy, that you couldn’t do the day before. That sort of experience carries over to all areas of life”.
Lindsay Overton is the Vice President of Community Bike Collective (CBC). A chemical engineer by training, she had a long career at a Fortune 50 company in a variety of assignments from research and development to market development. She happily retired in 2017 and has been busy with various volunteer activities in addition to CBC, including Wilderness Patrol for State Parks, helper at an equestrian therapeutic center and website admin/social media coordinator for the local equestrian club. Lindsay has always been engaged in sporting activities including running, hiking, skiing, racquet sports, windsurfing, horseback riding, and especially biking. Since volunteering for Community Bike Collective, she has really enjoyed introducing people to the camaraderie that develops when people ride bikes together. The smile on a kid’s face and the question “when can we go again?” fill her heart with joy!
Danny Guzman, Secretary, has been working with youth as a teacher, mentor, and coach Since 2000. He began his work with youth at Mission Hill Jr. High School as an assistant in a Special Education classroom, the director of an after school tutorial program, and a volleyball coach. Since 2010 Danny has taught Special Education in Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey Counties. Danny has included mentorship in his teaching practice because he has a heart for equity in opportunity for all youth and is a vocal advocate for students and parents alike. Danny has been an avid cyclist since his teen years and states that he “enjoys the thrill and challenge of going fast on technical trails, as well as the pure bliss of a relaxed ride through the redwoods or along the coast.” His desire is to help provide anyone who wishes an opportunity to experience the joy, fun and freedom that biking provides!
Alex Ponik, Director of Operations, grew up outside in the great northwoods of Wisconsin. Outdoor recreation and sports are in his blood and throughout his life, educators have been his mentors. As a high school science teacher in San Jose, CA, he wore many hats, including cross country coach and environmental club advisor. One tangible take home that inspired his interest in the CBC is that strong bonds and meaningful inspiration occur at high rates when you mentor youth outside the classroom. For the past few years, Alex has had the amazing opportunity to be a stay-at-home parent for his 2 girls. In addition to volunteering with the CBC, Alex is a Room Parent and online classroom volunteer at his daughters’ elementary school. Regardless of endeavor, Alex is fulfilled when a kid’s perspective is opened up and their understanding of their own potential is increased.
Legends of Trips for Kids Santa Cruz
These folks have given so much to Trips for Kids Santa Cruz and we owe them a HUGE thank you:
Allison Cruz, Founder, has represented youth for 20 years as an attorney. From juvenile dependency clients who have seen abuse and neglect, to juvenile delinquent clients who are involved in the justice system, Allison has seen it all. “I thought I would do what I can to hopefully have a positive effect. I decided it might help if these often underprivileged kids could get their adrenaline rushes from mountain biking instead of through gang activities.” Allison’s husband, Jason, is the sales manager at Family Cycling Center. He was able to lead her to Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz and numerous other riders and organizations. Allison realized a profound opportunity, and started the process of beginning a local chapter of Trips for Kids. She feels fortunate to have partnered with so many talented, enthusiastic board members and volunteers, who have taken that original idea into a real adventure. Allison loves mountain biking and being in nature. She wishes she wasn’t quite so timid on the mountain bike and would enjoy crashing less often?
John Fuchs, Past President, is a General Contractor and Real Estate Broker in Rio Del Mar. He fell in love with guiding kids as a result of coaching his daughter’s teams in volleyball and basketball. He also coached the Aptos High School golf team for four years. Besides his family and his business, John’s other passion is mountain biking. “For me, Trips for Kids combines my interest in working with kids with the satisfaction, sense of accomplishment and self-fulfillment that comes with mountain biking. Trips for Kids has provided me an incredible opportunity to make a difference in young people’s lives who may be in search of healthier lifestyle choices. I look forward to helping kids, one ride at a time. Happy trails!”
Roxanne Harrison, Director, Volunteer Coordinator and Fundraising, is currently Director of Sales at Synergy Learning Systems, specializing in leadership development and team building. She was introduced to bicycling in 1993 while living in Minneapolis, MN. “My friend was able to get us a couple Trek road bikes pretty cheap. After a week of riding my bike across Iowa and 500 plus miles under my belt, I was hooked!” Roxanne believes biking can be used in a number of positive ways. It can help reduce obesity, increase happiness, reduce an individual’s carbon footprint and help us stay connected with our inner kid. She hopes to be able to ride into “old” age. “Helping kids get that same sense of freedom, joy and accomplishment is what inspired me to get involved with Trips for Kids. It’s those brief exhilarating moments that can change their lives. When I learned that Allison had started a chapter locally, I jumped at the chance to become involved in such a wonderful organization.”
Steve Piercy, Director of Technology, creates professional websites and custom web applications as the owner of his business, Steve Piercy — Website Builder. Steve has not owned a car since 1994, and uses his bicycle for everyday transportation. He served on the People Power of Santa Cruz County Steering Committee, creating their website. Steve advocates for bicycling and pedestrian infrastructure and programs, helping to bring the first green bike lanes to Santa Cruz County in Soquel Village, founding the New Brighton Middle School Bike Club, and bringing a County-sponsored free helmet distribution site to Capitola. Steve also volunteers for Bike to Work/School bi-annual events and the Bike Smart program conducting bicycle skills training. When not geeking out or doing stuff for bicycling, Steve grows healthy organic food in his back yard. “Bicycles give freedom and independence to kids. As they grow up, living car-free means kids have more money to spend on the important things in life—like good food, housing, and bicycle parts—and have more time to live well.”
Community Bike Collective 
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